Male infertility: A proximate look at the advanced glycation end products

Abstract

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are products of cascades of non-enzymatic glycosylation. They are formed over a period of hours to days, depending on the protein lifetime. AGEs acts by independently producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) or by binding to their receptors. Binding of AGE to the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) has been shown to play a role in physiological processes, including lung homeostasis, bone metabolism, neuronal systems and the immune system. When in excess, they take part in the pathogenesis of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and etcetera. The cause of male infertility is considered unexplained in many cases, suggesting that there are gaps in the mechanistic knowledge of sperm production and function, especially, pathways involved in the physiochemical protein regulation of spermatogenesis. It is therefore important to consider areas of research highlighting protein modification and identification and their implication for male fertility.

Keywords: Advanced glycation end products; Assisted reproductive technology; Hyperglycaemia; Infertility; Male infertility; Receptor for advanced glycation end products.